Window lock



May 28, 1968 N. C. NEMETH WINDOW LOCK Filed Nov. '7, 1966 United States Patent O 3,384,999 WINDOW LOCK Nicholas C. Nemeth, 7324 Beverly St., Overland Pai-lr, Kans. 66204 Filed Nov. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 592,540 8 Claims. (Cl. 49-449) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in window locks, and relates more specifically to locks for the lower sashes of sash-type window constructions.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a window lock which is operable either to hold the lower sash fully closed, or to permit the opening thereof to a predetermined and limited degree. For example, it can be set to permit opening of the window perhaps an inch or two, as may be necessary or desirable for fresh air and ventilation, but will prevent opening thereof to any greater degree, so that a prowler could not thereby obtain unauthorized entry to the building.

Another object is the provision of a window lock of the character described which requires no screws, bolts, nails, or other permanent connection thereof to the window frame or sashes.

A further object is the provision of a window lock of the character described which is extremely secure, and which cannot be shaken or vibrated loose.

Further objects are simplicity and economy of construction, efficiency and dependability of operation, and adaptability for use in connection with windows of a wide varicty of sizes and dimensions.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course ofthe specification, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. l is a fragmentary inside elevational view of a sash window construction with a window lock embodying the present invention applied operatively thereto,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line Il-II of FIG. l,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line III-III of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a sectional View of the lock only, taken on line IV-IV of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line V-V of FIG. 3.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 applies generally to a sash-type window construction including a window frame 4, an upper sash 6, and a lower sash 8, said window construction being shown fragmentarily in FGS. l and 2. The window is shown in its closed position, the lower rail of the upper sash mating with the top rail 12 of the lower sash as best shown in FIG. 2. The vertical side edges of the lower sash are carried for vertical sliding movement in sash grooves 14 formed between ribs 16 and 18 fixed to the frame (only one side of the window being shown), and the upper sash is similarly slidable in sash grooves 20 formed between ribs 18 and 22 of the frame. As the lower sash is elevated to open the window, its weight is supported by a coil spring 24 at each side thereof (one shown). Said spring extends vertically in groove 14, being attached at its lower end to sash 8 and at its upper end to the window frame, and is enclosed by a sheet metal channel 26 disposed midway between the ribs 16 and 18 defining the sash groove. The corresponding vertical edge of the lower sash is of course grooved to accommodate said spring channel.

The window lock forming the subject matter of the resent invention is indicated generally by the numeral 28, and is detailed in FIGS. 3-5. As best shown in FIGS. l and 2, said lock is adapted to be mounted fixedly in sash groove 14 of lower window sash 8, at any desired ICC distance above the upper rail 12 of said sash, whereby to positively obstruct said groove and arrest upward movement of the sash and thereby limit the degree to which the window may be opened. In this manner, the window may be opened slightly to permit air circulation and ventilation when desired, with no danger that a prowler could open it still further to a degree sufficient to allow him unauthorized access to the house or building. A lock as shown could be employed in the sash grooves at both sides of the window, although one is quite adequate for the purpose. It will be apparent also that the lock could be installed directly against the top rail 12 of the lower sash with the sash in its fully closed position, whereby to prevent any opening of the window at all.

The lock includes a body member 30 formed of heavy sheet metal and is of generally U-shaped configuration, having a pair of spaced apart parallel legs 32 and 34 joined by a connecting portion 36. Said body member is adapted to be inserted horizontally into sash groove 14 until the legs thereof engage the base of the groove, the spacing between said legs being sufiicient to span the channel 26 enclosing spring 24. Afixed to the free end of leg 34 is an outwardly projecting jaw support 38 to which is permanently affixed a jaw 40 having a serrated face 42 adapted to engage the inner surface of rib 16 defining sash groove 14. Aflixed to the free end of leg 32 is a jaw support 44. Said jaw support is essentially a tubular socket 46 opening in a direction opposite from the face 42 of jaw 4i), and has slidably mounted therein a movable jaw 48, said jaw projecting outwardly from said socket and having a serrated face 50 which is generally parallel to face 42 of jaw 40 and which is adapted to engage the inner surface of rib 18 defining sash groove 14. When jaw 48 is retracted inwardly in socket 46, the distance between jaw faces 42 and 50 is less than the width of groove 14, so that the lock may be inserted freely into said groove. However, when jaw 48 is forced outwardly in socket 46, both jaws firmly engage their respective ribs and the serrated faces thereof become embedded threin as shown, whereby to secure the lock rigidly in position.

Movable jaw 48 is moved by means of a generally planar lever 52 having oppositely extending pivot pins 54 journalled rotatably in a pair of ears 56 formed integrally with lock body 30 adjacent leg 32, whereby said lever is supported for pivotal movement about an axis at right angles to the span of jaws 40 and 48 and parallel to the axis of the U-shaped bight of body member 30. At one end, lever 52 is provided with an integral finger 58 which projects loosely into a hole 60 formed in jaw 48, at right angles to the direction of movement of said jaw, whereby to cause inward and outward movement of said jaw in socket 46 when lever 52 is rocked on pins 54. Afiixed to the opposite end of said lever, as by rivets 62, is an elongated arm 64 of spring steel, said arm extending outwardly from groove 14. Aiiixed to leg 34 of the lock body, as by rivets 66, is a spring armv 68. Arm 68 extends from the body member in the same direction las arm 64, and the free end portion thereof is angled to provide first a lateral offset 70 toward arm 64, and second an angled portion 72 inclined obliquely away from arm 64. Therefore when arm 64 is flexed resiliently to curve around the bight portion 36 of the lock body, as best shown in FIG. 3, the free end portion 74 thereof first engages angled portion 72 of arm 68 to cam the latter outwardly until end portion 74 passes the juncture between angled p0rtion 72 and offset 70, whereupon arm 68 recovers resiliently to cause offset 7 0 thereof to engage end Portion 74 of arm 64, thereby latching arm 64 in its flexed position as shown. The lock is then completely mounted for use, spring arm 64 acting through lever 52 to urge jaw 48 strongly outwardly to embed its serrations in rib 18, and

3 by reactive force to embed the serrations of jaw 40 in rib 16.

Thev operation of the lock has been rather fully described in connection with the description of its construction. The action of spring arm 64 can supply as great an expanding force on the jaws' as may be desired, by selection of the tlexure strength of said arm. Moreover, it supplies its operating force over a considerable degree of movement of jaw 48, so that if the jaw serrations should gradually embed themselves more deeply in ribs 16 and 18, or even if the ribs themselves should yield slightly, jaw 48 will take up the slack and preserve the tightness of the lock. Also, any attempt to dislodge the lock by moving the lower sash forcibly upwardly thereagainst is extremely unlikely to be successful, as this action simply embeds the jaw serrations more deeply. The lock will not be loosened by vibration or shaking, due to the following action of spring arm 64. The bight portion 36 of the lock body could also of course span the sash cords of the lower sash, if the sash were supported in this manner.

Access to the lock from outside the building might be gained, and the lock released by deecting spring arm 68 to release arm 64, simply by lowering the upper sash 6. Therefore, it may be necessary to immobilize the upper sash in same manner, as by nailing it in its fully elevated position. However, in many window constructions the upper sash is not movable anyway, or has been renderedl substantially immovable by repeated painting which seals it in position and obstructs its slide grooves.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be readily apparent that many minor changes of structure and operation could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A window lock for use in connection with a window construction including a sash slidable in grooves formed therefor in a window frame, said window lock comprisingt (a) a body member adapted to be inserted in one of said grooves adjacent said sash whereby to obstruct and limit movement of said sash,

(b) a pair of jaw members carried by said body member and -facing oppositely in a direction transverse to said groove, and

(c) operating means carried by said body member and operable to expand said jaws relatively farther apart whereby the faces thereof are forced into engagement with respectively opposite longitudinal surfaces of said groove.

2. A window lock as recited in claim 1 for use in connection with a window construction including a longitudinal obstruction in said groove intermediate said Opposite longitudinal surfaces of said groove, and wherein said body member has a lateral otset therein intermediate the jaws thereof, whereby said offset spans said obstruction.

3. A window lock as recited in claim 1 wherein the faces of said jaws are substantially parallel and are roughened to provied non-slip engagement thereof with the surfaces of said groove.

4. A window lock as recited in claim 1 wherein the faces of said jaws are generally parallel with each other and have serrations formed therein transversely to the longitudinal extent of said groove.

5. A window lock as recited in claim 1 wherein the rst of said jaws is atiixed rigidly to said body member and has a generally planar face, wherein the second of said jaws has a generally planar face parallel the face of said rst jaw and is carried by said body member for movement at right angles to its face, and wherein said operating means is operable to move said second jaw.

6. A window lock as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating means includes resilient means operable t0 maintain a constant expanding force on said jaws.

7. A window lock as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating means includes resilient means operable to maintain a constant expanding force on said jaws, and wherein the operative faces of said jaws are roughened whereby to be embedded in the surfaces of said groove responsively to said expanding force.

8. A window lock as recited in claim 5 wherein said operating means comprises:

(a) a lever carried pivotally by said body member and engaging said second jaw, whereby pivotal movement of said lever in Ione direction moves said second jaw in a direction outwardly from and at right angles to its face,

(b) a spring arm secured at one end to said lever whereby movement of said arm in one direction will operate said lever to move said second jaw outwardly to engage its associated groove surface, and further flexure of said spring arm in the same direction will apply greater force urging said second jaw against said groove surface, and

(c) latch means carried by said body member and operable to secure said spring arm releasably in said flexed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,668,354 5/1928 Canon. 2,011,455 8/1935 Ostermann. 2,699,963 l/ 1955 Hampton. 3,232,655 2/1966 Foster 49-449 X DAVID I. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

J. KARL BELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A WINDOW LOCK FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH A WINDOW CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING A SASH SLIDABLE IN GROOVES FORMED THEREFOR IN A WINDOW FRAME, SAID WINDOW LOCK COMPRISING: (A) A BODY MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED IN ONE OF SAID GROOVES ADJACENT SAID SASH WHEREBY TO OBSTRUCT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF SAID SASH, (B) A PAIR OF JAW MEMBERS CARRIED BY SAID BODY MEMBER AND FACING OPPOSITELY IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO SAID GROOVE, AND (C) OPERATING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BODY MEMBER AND OPERABLE TO EXPAND SAID JAWS RELATIVELY FARTHER APART WHEREBY THE FACES THEREOF ARE FORCED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH RESPECTIVELY OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL SURFACES OF SAID GROOVE. 